They reached home. Meilin stepped out of the car, drained. All she wanted was a shower and bed.

But as she stepped into the sitting room, she paused. There, seated on the couch with a wine glass and papers in hand, was her mother.

She blinked. Rarely did Madam Lin or Matilda as her mom was known as—come home this early.

“Good evening, Mum,” Meilin said coolly.

Madam Lin didn’t glance up. “Where are you coming from?”

“I went to Lu Ruiyan’s concert. With Li Nian"

“At this hour?” She finally looked up. “Do you even realize the risk of staying out this late alone?”

“Well, I didn’t expect you’d be home tonight. I thought you'd be out as usual” Meilin muttered.

“Shut up, Meilin,” her mother snapped.

Meilin exhaled sharply. “You wouldn’t understand. You have no idea what it feels like being home alone all the time. Am I not allowed to go out and meet others? Will I die in this empty mansion?”

Madam Lin sighed. She stood with her wine glass, brushing her fringe from her face.

“Meilin,” she said gently. “I know how you feel. Everything I’m doing is for your future. Soon, you'll understand. Something wonderful is about to happen and it'll put a smile on your face forever.”

Meilin stared at her in confusion as she turned and walked away, leaving her papers behind.

What did she mean by something wonderful?

“Mom?” she called out suspiciously but her mom just kept going up the stairs, echoes of ‘its all for the best’ resounding in the huge,empty house.

Before she could ponder more, her phone buzzed—Jiang Xun again.

She answered as she climbed the stairs. “Hello?”

“Meilin? You picked up,” his voice rushed with hope.

She entered her room and sat on the bed. “I can’t talk right now, Jiang Xun. I’m tired.”

“Then let’s meet tomorrow. Please, just give me a chance to explain—”

She paused, then sighed. “I’ll let you know when I’m free. Goodnight.” She ended the call.

Removing her shoes, she collapsed on the bed, still in her clothes.

—-—------

The sunlight streaming through the curtains woke Meilin far earlier than she wanted. Her head still felt heavy from the whirlwind of the previous night—the concert, her mother’s cryptic words, Jiang Xun’s calls. With a low groan, she dragged herself out of bed and shuffled toward the bathroom.

A hot shower later, she wrapped her hair into a loose ponytail and padded downstairs, expecting the house to be as quiet and empty as always. But as she reached the last step, she froze.

Her mother was there.

Seated elegantly at the dining table in a crisp beige suit, Matilda Lin was sipping coffee, a newspaper folded neatly beside her plate. It was so unusual that Meilin blinked twice, half-convinced she was imagining things.

“Mum?” she murmured in disbelief.

Matilda glanced up, expression unreadable. “Good morning, Meilin. You’re awake.”

“Yeah,” Meilin muttered, pulling out a chair across from her. She wasn’t sure if she should feel suspicious or grateful. “You’re… home. In the morning.”

Her mother smiled faintly. “Even I can make time for breakfast once in a while."

Meilin sat down, eyeing her plate. Toast, fruit, eggs—the western style breakfast neatly arranged by the house staff. She hadn’t had breakfast with her mother in months. Despite the ache her mother’s constant absence left, a flicker of pride stirred in her chest. Madam Lin wasn’t like the other women in their social circle. She had built her empire on her own name, not her husband’s. Very few women could match her in elegance, power, or independence. And Meilin couldn’t help but respect that—even if it came at the cost of her presence in her daughter’s life.

They ate quietly for a few minutes. Then, as if the thought had just struck her, Matilda spoke.

“Clear your schedule for tonight. We’re going to a party.”

Meilin paused mid-bite, frowning. “A party?”

“Yes.” Her mother dabbed her lips with a napkin, tone casual. “Lu Ruiyan is hosting a private homecoming party at the Wenlong mansion. We’ve been invited.”

Meilin’s fork clattered lightly against the plate. Li Nian’s excited voice from the other day came rushing back—Ruiyan’s VIP party, oh!! how I wish I could be there!

Of course. This must be the same one.

She set her fork down. “Mum, I don’t think I’ll go. You know I’m not into those kinds of things.”

Normally, Matilda would have let the refusal slide. Meilin had declined countless formal galas and dinner balls before, and her mother had never pressed the issue. But this time was different.

“This isn’t optional, Meilin,” Matilda said firmly. Her sharp gaze left no room for argument. “You will be there, and you will look your best.”

Meilin’s lips parted in surprise. “Why? You’ve never cared before.”

“Because this matters,” Matilda replied simply, her tone softer now but still unyielding. “Trust me.”

Meilin’s chest tightened. She wanted to protest, to tell her mother she had already promised Jiang Xun she would see him again today. But the unspoken finality in her mother’s voice left her no choice.

She exhaled slowly and looked down at her plate. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Good girl.”

They finished the rest of breakfast in silence, but Meilin’s mind wasn’t quiet. All she could think about was the text she would have to send Jiang Xun. Surprisingly,she didn't feel too bad about cancelling their plans.

______

By the time she got to school,Li Nian was already in class and barely let her sit down before chatting excitedly. “I still can’t believe you’re going to Lu Ruiyan’s homecoming party, Meilin!”

Meilin scratched her ear in response.

“I wonder what the Wenlong mansion looks like. I’ve seen pictures online, but I bet it’s even more breathtaking in real life.”

As she prattled on,Chen Yue, Bai Fang, and Cheng Rui strutted into the class.

“Hey, handsome,” Chen Yue purred to Kai Luo, who didn’t even glance up.

Bai Fang and Cheng Rui giggled. Rejected.

They reached their seats in front of Meilin and Li Nian. Bai Fang winked at Meilin before sitting—irritating as always. Meilins always wondered why they still stuck together. They were of equal social status so no one was beneath the other, sometimes they fought but still got back together.

Then Bai Fang brought out her phone, and suddenly, the classroom projector turned on.

To Meilin’s shock, it began displaying photoshopped images of Bai Fang and Lu Ruiyan, looking almost real.

Seriously?

“How did she connect to the projector?” Li Nian gasped.

Bai Fang stood up and grinned, arms wide. “Aren’t we just perfect together?”

“It's dumb,” someone muttered from the back. Meilin smirked.

Bai Fang scowled.

Cheng Rui stood abruptly. “Whoever said that must be a dumbass!”

A few students chuckled. But then the projector shut off.

Everyone turned. Kai Luo sat calmly at his desk, phone in hand. He’d done it.

Tech genius.

“Why’d you do that?!” Bai Fang shrieked.

Kai Luo didn’t even blink.

More snickers filled the room as the girls sulked.

“Now that’s attitude,” Li Nian whispered.